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☆ 'That 70's Show' actor Masterson sentenced to 30 years to life in prison for raping two women
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-07 | by ( Rollo Ross | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Actor Danny Masterson is arraigned on three rape charges in separate incidents between 2001 and 2003, at Los Angeles Superior Court, Los Angeles, California, U.S., September 18, 2020. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson Acquire Licensing RightsLOS ANGELES, Sept 7 (Reuters) - "That '70s Show" actor Danny Masterson was sentenced on Thursday to 30 years to life in prison for raping two women about 20 years ago in a case that stirred controversy around the Church of Scientology. Judge Charlaine Olmedo announced the sentence in Los Angeles Superior Court. The Church of Scientology denied that claim and said Masterson's religion should not have been an issue in the case. The women said Masterson drugged and raped them in separate incidents between 2001 and 2003 at his house in the Hollywood Hills.

Persons: Danny Masterson, Lucy Nicholson, Judge Charlaine Olmedo, Masterson, “, ”, Jane Doe, Lisa Richwine, Jonathan Oatis, Cynthia Osterman Organizations: Los Angeles Superior Court, REUTERS, of Scientology, Scientology, Hollywood, Netflix, Thomson Locations: Los Angeles , California, U.S, Los Angeles

LOS ANGELES (AP) — “That ’70s Show” star Danny Masterson could get as much as 30 years to life in prison at his sentencing Thursday for the rapes of two women two decades ago. A jury of seven women and five men found Masterson guilty of two counts on May 31 after seven days of deliberations. The women blamed the church for their hesitancy in going to police about Masterson. Masterson was not charged with any counts of drugging, and there was no toxicology evidence to back up the assertion. Masterson starred with Ashton Kutcher, Mila Kunis and Topher Grace in “That ’70s Show” from 1998 until 2006.

Persons: Danny Masterson, Charlaine F, Olmedo, Masterson, “, Reinhold Mueller, they’ve, Ashton Kutcher, Mila Kunis, Topher Grace, Kutcher, Harvey Weinstein, Weinstein Organizations: ANGELES, Los Angeles Superior, Fox, Prosecutors, Scientology, ”, Associated Press, Netflix, LAPD, Hollywood Locations: Masterson’s Hollywood, “, Angeles

Legal experts say that if California wins, it could embolden other states to take action against lenders that make high-interest loans to low-income borrowers using what critics call "rent a bank" partnerships. Several nonbank lenders have already exited California, said Saunders, whose group tracks high-interest lenders. In California, OppFi took the unusual step of preemptively suing to try to block the state from taking action. Federal law allows state-chartered banks to lend across state lines at the interest rate legal in their home state. California has urged Dillon to recognize that OppFi decides who to lend to and has a deal with the bank to purchase the loans.

Persons: Lee Jae, Timothy Dillon, Lauren Saunders, California's, OppFi, Saunders, Dillon, Allard Chu, That's, Ron Vaske, Ballard Spahr, Jody Godoy, Andy Sullivan Organizations: REUTERS, California Department of Financial Protection, Los Angeles Superior, California, Federal Reserve, National Consumer Law Center, EasyPay Finance, FinWise Bank, FinWise, Thomson Locations: Seoul, California, Chicago, Utah, U.S, In California, Colorado, New York

☆ Britney Spears says she ‘couldn’t take the pain anymore’ as she addresses divorce from Sam Asghari
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-19 | by ( Dan Heching | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Britney Spears has shared some thoughts about her split from Sam Asghari. “If I wasn’t my dad’s strong soldier, I would be sent away to places to get fixed by doctors ! Britney Spears and Sam Asghari pose at the premiere of "Once Upon a Time In Hollywood" in Los Angeles in 2019. Asghari filed a petition to end the marriage with the Los Angeles Superior Court on Wednesday, citing “irreconcilable differences,” according to a copy of the filing obtained by CNN. CNN has reached out to representatives for Spears and Asghari for comment.

Persons: Britney Spears, Sam Asghari, Spears, …, ”, I’ve, –, “ You’re, Janet Jackson’s “, Mario Anzuoni, Reuters Asghari, conservatorship Spears, Asghari Organizations: CNN, Reuters, Los Angeles Superior Court Locations: Los Angeles

☆ Lizzo’s dance crews express support for her amid lawsuit
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-18 | by ( Alli Rosenbloom | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Lizzo’s dancers are expressing support for her after a lawsuit was brought against the singer by three of her former tour members. The “Big Grrl” and “Big Boiii” dance crews shared a letter on the group’s verified Instagram, writing that they “had the time of our lives on The Special Tour,” which Lizzo wrapped up this summer. The complaint also names Lizzo’s production company Big Grrrl Big Touring, Inc. (BGBT) and a person described as “dance cast captain” as defendants in the suit. “These last few days have been gut wrenchingly difficult and overwhelmingly disappointing,” she said in a statement after the lawsuit was filed. “These sensationalized stories are coming from former employees who have already publicly admitted that they were told their behavior on tour was inappropriate and unprofessional,” Lizzo wrote in her response.

Persons: CNN —, Lizzo, ”, “, ” Lizzo Organizations: CNN, Big, Los Angeles Superior Court Locations: Los Angeles

☆ Sam Asghari seeks divorce from Britney Spears 14 months after wedding
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-17 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Britney Spears and Sam Asghari pose at the premiere of "Once Upon a Time In Hollywood" in Los Angeles, California, U.S., July 22, 2019. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsLOS ANGELES, Aug 17 (Reuters) - Sam Asghari, the husband of pop superstar Britney Spears, is seeking to divorce the singer he married last year after she was released from a legal conservatorship. The 29-year-old Asghari cited "irreconcilable differences" in a filing in Los Angeles Superior Court on Wednesday. In a statement on Instagram, Asghari said he and Spears "have decided to end our journey together." Asghari and Spears, 41, wed 14 months ago in June 2022 after dating for nearly six years.

Persons: Britney Spears, Sam Asghari, Mario Anzuoni, Spears, Asghari, Jamie Spears, Jason Alexander, Kevin Federline, Lisa Richwine, Diane Craft, Stephen Coates Organizations: REUTERS, Los Angeles Superior Court, Asghari, Thomson Locations: Los Angeles , California, U.S, Los Angeles, Las Vegas

Britney Spears’s husband, Sam Asghari, whom she married after she was released from the conservatorship that controlled her life for more than a decade, filed for divorce on Wednesday after a little more than a year of marriage, according to Los Angeles court records. According to the divorce filing, which was submitted in Los Angeles Superior Court, the couple separated on July 28. Mr. Asghari cited irreconcilable differences as the legal grounds for divorce. A lawyer for Ms. Spears, Mathew Rosengart, declined to comment. But the rumors of her latest divorce made headlines around the world even before the court papers were filed, raising questions about how much has changed.

Persons: Britney, Sam Asghari, Spears, Asghari, Mathew Rosengart, Spears’s conservatorship Organizations: Los Angeles Superior Court Locations: Los Angeles, California

☆ Britney Spears divorce: Sam Asghari says 'asking for privacy seems ridiculous'
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-17 | by ( Dan Heching | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

CNN —Sam Asghari, husband to Britney Spears since June 2022, has made a statement on social media after filing for divorce from the pop singer on Wednesday. “After 6 years of love and commitment to each other my wife and i have decided to end our journey together,” Asghari wrote on his verified Instagram Story on Thursday. “We will hold onto the love and respect we have for each other and i wish her the best always. The date of separation for the couple is July 28, the petition states. CNN has reached out to representatives for Spears and Asghari for comment.

Persons: Sam Asghari, Britney Spears, ” Asghari, “, Spears, Asghari, ” Spears Organizations: CNN, “, Los Angeles Superior Court Locations: Los Angeles

☆ Britney Spears’ husband Sam Asghari files for divorce
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-17 | by ( Alli Rosenbloom | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

CNN —Britney Spears and Sam Asghari are getting divorced after 14 months of marriage. CNN has reached out to representatives for Spears and Asghari seeking comment. Spears and Asghari wed in June of last year after becoming engaged in September 2021. Spears previously was married to Jason Alexander, a childhood friend, for about 55 hours in 2004 before the marriage was annulled. At the time of her nuptials to Asghari, Spears wrote in an Instagram post that their wedding was “the most spectacular day.” Asghari last shared a post featuring Spears on his Instagram on Valentine’s Day.

Persons: Britney Spears, Sam Asghari, Asghari, Spears, Jason Alexander, Kevin Federline, Sean Preston, Jayden James, ” Asghari Organizations: CNN, Los Angeles Superior Court, Valentine’s Locations: Los Angeles, Asghari

☆ Disney accused of withholding hundreds of millions of dollars from 'Avatar' sequel financier
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-15 | by ( Sarah Whitten | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Hollywood financer TSG Entertainment is suing Disney for breach of contract. TSG co-finances the production and marketing costs of films in exchanges for a share of the defined gross receipts after the film's release. The group has helped co-finance around 140 films produced by 20th Century Fox, which Disney acquired in 2019, including "Avatar: The Way of Water." Noticing a decline in profits, TSG requested an audit of a sampling of three of the films it financed for 20th Century Fox. "Most egregiously, this scheme triggered a provision in the [revenue participation agreement] that entitles Fox to a 50% share of TSG's profits after the winding-up of TSG's investment vehicle."

Persons: Fox, Jojo Rabbit, John Berlinkski, Bird Marella, Scarlett Johansson Organizations: Hollywood financer TSG Entertainment, Disney, Los Angeles Superior Court, TSG, Century Fox, Hollywood, Fox, TSG —, FX, Warner Bros, HBO, Street Journal Locations: Los Angeles

☆ Rapper Tory Lanez sentenced to 10 years in prison for shooting Megan Thee Stallion
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-08 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/3] Megan Thee Stallion arrives to attend the 2022 Billboard Music Awards at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S. May 15, 2022. REUTERS/Steve Marcus/File PhotoAug 8 (Reuters) - Canadian rapper Tory Lanez was sentenced on Tuesday to 10 years in prison, more than seven months after he was convicted of shooting fellow musical artist Megan Thee Stallion during an argument in 2020. Lanez was accused of shooting Grammy-winning rapper Megan Thee Stallion, 28, injuring her feet after a pool party in the Hollywood Hills in July 2020. Megan Thee Stallion, who was born Megan Pete, needed surgery and spent four days in the hospital before physical therapy allowed her to walk again. Megan Thee Stallion won Grammy awards for best new artist, best rap performance and best rap song in 2021.

Persons: Megan Thee Stallion, Steve Marcus, Tory Lanez, Megan Thee, Judge David Herriford, Daystar Peterson, Lanez, Megan Pete, Jose Baez, Baez, It's, Attorney George Gascon, Pete, Jane Ross, Jonathan Allen, Brendan O'Brien, Aurora Ellis, Lisa Shumaker Organizations: MGM, Garden, REUTERS, Daystar, Los Angeles Superior Court, Hollywood, New York Times, Megan Thee Stallion, Attorney, Thomson Locations: Las Vegas , Nevada, U.S, Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, New York

☆ Lizzo is ‘hurt’ by suit filed by former dancers
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-03 | by ( Lisa Respers France | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Lizzo is addressing a lawsuit filed against her by three of her former dancers. On Thursday, Lizzo addressed the complaint publicly for the first time in a statement on her verified social media. “These sensationalized stories are coming from former employees who have already publicly admitted that they were told their behavior on tour was inappropriate and unprofessional,” Lizzo wrote in her response. I know what it feels like to be body shamed on a daily basis, and would absolutely never criticize or terminate an employee because of their weight,” Lizzo continued. “I am hurt, but I will not let the good work I’ve done in the world be overshadowed by this.

Persons: ”, Lizzo, ” Lizzo, “, it’s Organizations: CNN, Los Angeles Superior Court, Light Locations: Los Angeles

☆ Lizzo Denies Allegations in Former Dancers’ Lawsuit
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-03 | by ( Amanda Holpuch | More About Amanda Holpuch | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Lizzo on Thursday denied allegations made against her this week by three former dancers who said she created a hostile work environment while performing concerts during the Grammy-winning singer’s Special Tour this year. The three dancers said they had been “exposed to an overtly sexual atmosphere that permeated their workplace,” in a lawsuit filed on Tuesday in Los Angeles Superior Court. The lawsuit described several episodes that lawyers for the dancers said amounted to sexual harassment and weight shaming. “Usually I choose not to respond to false allegations but these are as unbelievable as they sound and too outrageous to not be addressed,” Lizzo said in a statement posted on social media. The lawsuit says Ms. Davis and Ms. Williams were fired in the spring of 2023.

Persons: ” Lizzo, Arianna Davis, Crystal Williams, Davis, Williams Organizations: Los Angeles Superior Court, Lizzo, Amazon Prime Locations: Los Angeles, ”

CNN —Beyoncé appeared to skip over Lizzo’s name as she performed “Break My Soul (Queen’s Remix)” at a concert in Boston on Tuesday, following the news that Lizzo is being sued by three former dancers alleging harassment and hostile work environment. Normally, Lizzo’s name appears in the lyrics of “Break My Soul (Queen’s Remix),” alongside the likes of Nina Simone, Lauryn Hill and Nicki Minaj, as part of Beyoncé’s song celebrating black women in the entertainment industry. Lizzo is facing a lawsuit from three former dancers. Lizzo had posted a video of herself on Instagram in June watching the same set at a previous show on Beyoncé’s “Renaissance” tour, saying, “I think of what we all mean to people and how cyclical it is. We are all so infinitesimally and maximally connected and significant.

Persons: CNN — Beyoncé, Nina Simone, Lauryn Hill, Nicki Minaj, Paras Griffin, Lizzo, “, ” Organizations: CNN, Los Angeles Superior Court, ” CNN, Lizzo Locations: Boston, Los Angeles

☆ Former Tour Dancers Accuse Lizzo of Harassment and Hostile Work Environment in Lawsuit
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-02 | by ( Lauren Mccarthy | More About Lauren Mccarthy | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Three of Lizzo’s former dancers filed a lawsuit against her on Tuesday in Los Angeles Superior Court, accusing the Grammy-winning singer and the captain of her dance team of creating a hostile work environment while performing concerts on her Special Tour this year. The suit was first reported by NBC. The defendants include Lizzo, using her full name Melissa Jefferson instead of her stage name; her production company, Big Grrrl Big Touring Inc.; and Shirlene Quigley, the tour’s dance captain. It does not specify whether the singer was aware of the plaintiffs’ allegations linked to Ms. Quigley. The suit alleges that Lizzo and Ms. Quigley were involved in several episodes that lawyers for the three dancers said amounted to sexual and religious harassment and weight shaming, among other allegations.

Persons: Melissa Jefferson, Shirlene Quigley, Quigley, Lizzo Organizations: Los Angeles Superior Court, The New York Times, NBC, Big, Touring Inc Locations: Los Angeles

☆ Lizzo sued by three former dancers alleging harassment and hostile work environment
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-01 | by ( Alli Rosenbloom | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Lizzo has been sued by three former dancers who claim they were subjected to a hostile work environment and harassment while they were members of the Grammy-winner’s dance team. The complaint, filed in Los Angeles Superior Court on Tuesday and obtained by CNN through an attorney for the plaintiffs, also names her production company Big Grrrl Big Touring, Inc. (BGBT) and a person described as “dance cast captain” as defendants in the suit. Fearing retaliation, the suit states the plaintiff eventually “acquiesced” despite having expressed numerous times she had no desire to touch the performers. The suit alleges that this comment from the the accountant was “charged with “racial and fat-phobic animus.”Lizzo is known for her uplifting messages and advocacy for body positivity as an integral part of her work. CNN has reached out to a representative for Lizzo and Big Grrrl Big Touring, Inc. seeking comment on the complaint.

Persons: CNN — Lizzo, ”, “, Lizzo Organizations: CNN, Los Angeles Superior Court, Light, Lizzo, Inc Locations: Los Angeles

☆ Grindr's ex-privacy chief accused top executives of shrugging off system bugs that retained 'billions' of user photos
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-16 | by ( Azmi Haroun | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Former Chief of Privacy Ron DeJesus said top executives ignored multiple warnings about user data. De Jesus claimed in the lawsuit that user data was stored after accounts were deleted, and shared with third parties. In 2021, Norway fined Grindr $7 million for illegally sharing user data, which De Jesus referenced in his lawsuit. De Jesus claimed that after he shared his privacy concerns with executives, he was iced out of an executive retreat. "Mr. De Jesus was terminated for being ineffective and for poorly managing Grindr's privacy practices, which were his primary responsibility," Lenihan said.

Persons: Ron DeJesus, De Jesus, Ron De Jesus, Jesus, Patrick Lenihan, Lenihan, Grindr Organizations: Morning, Los Angeles Superior Court, Grindr Locations: Los Angeles, Norway

CNN —An investigation has been launched into allegations of employment discrimination and a hostile work environment at the National Football League (NFL), according to a joint statement from New York Attorney General Letitia James and California Attorney General Rob Bonta. It comes just over a year since the NFL was warned by a coalition of six attorneys general to take “swift action” to improve conditions for female employees. The attorneys general on Thursday issued subpoenas to the NFL seeking relevant information, the statement said. “No person should ever have to endure harassment, discrimination, or objectification in the workplace,” said NY Attorney General James. “No matter how powerful or influential, no institution is above the law, and we will ensure the NFL is held accountable.”“California will not tolerate any form of discrimination,” California Attorney General Bonta said.

☆ What to Know About Danny Masterson’s Second Rape Trial
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-26 | by ( Michael Levenson | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Opening arguments began on Monday in a retrial of the rape case against Danny Masterson, the actor known for his role in the sitcom “That ’70s Show,” nearly five months after the first trial ended in a deadlocked jury. The first trial ended in November when the jury could not reach a verdict on the three counts of forcible rape that the actor faced, prompting a judge to declare a mistrial. If convicted in the retrial, Masterson could face 45 years to life in prison. The charges in the retrial in Los Angeles Superior Court are the same as in the first trial. But in a potentially significant shift, the judge, Charlaine F. Olmedo, has allowed prosecutors to tell jurors directly that Masterson had drugged his three accusers, The Associated Press reported.

[1/2] A Tesla Model 3 vehicle drives on autopilot along the 405 highway in Westminster, California, U.S., March 16, 2022. Tesla denied liability for the accident and said in a court filing that Hsu used Autopilot on city streets, despite a user manual warning against doing so. "This case should be a wakeup call to Tesla owners: they can't over-rely on Autopilot, and they really need to be ready to take control and Tesla is not a self-driving system," he said. The Hsu trial unfolded in Los Angeles Superior Court over three weeks, with testimony from three Tesla engineers. The main question in Autopilot cases was who is responsible for an accident while a car is in driver-assistant Autopilot mode - a human driver, the machine, or both?

After the verdict on Friday, juror Mitchell Vasseur, 63, told Reuters that he and his fellow jurors felt badly for Hsu, but ultimately determined that Autopilot was not at fault. Jury foreperson Olivia Apsher, 31, said the Autopilot system reminds drivers when they are not adequately taking control. "There are audible warnings and visual warnings both for the driver, indicating that it is your responsibility." The trial unfolded in Los Angeles Superior Court over three weeks and featured testimony from three Tesla engineers. Reporting by Abhirup Roy in Los Angeles, and Dan Levine and Hyun Joo Jin in San Francisco Editing by Peter Henderson and Matthew LewisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

[1/2] A Tesla Model 3 vehicle drives on autopilot along the 405 highway in Westminster, California, U.S., March 16, 2022. It said in a court filing that Hsu used Autopilot on city streets, despite Tesla's user manual warning against doing so. The main question in Autopilot cases is who is responsible for an accident while a car was in driver-assistant Autopilot mode - a human driver, the machine, or both? That executive, Ashok Elluswamy, director of Autopilot software at Tesla, testified during the Hsu trial last week about the videotape. Also at issue in the Hsu trial is the airbag.

☆ Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin sued over allegations the rocket company discriminates against older workers
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-08 | by ( Grace Kay | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

A spokesperson for Blue Origin did not respond to a request for comment. It's not the first time that Blue Origin has faced criticism from a former employee. In 2021, Alexandra Abrams, the former head of Blue Origin employee communications, published an open letter alongside a group describing itself as 21 former and current Blue Origin employees. At the time, a Blue Origin representative told Insider the company doesn't tolerate harassment and would investigate the claims. Do you work for Blue Origin or have insight to share?

Companies Hengyuan Refining Company Bhd FollowMarch 1 (Reuters) - A California couple sued a Pasadena-based fertility clinic on Wednesday, saying it allegedly implanted an embryo carrying a rare gene that causes deadly stomach cancer and then falsified records to cover up its mistake. They said they went to HRC Fertility specifically to avoid having a child with the gene, which Jason carries. "We went to HRC Fertility to break the family curse of cancer and early death," he said in a statement. All of the embryos were tested for the cancer gene. Kolb transferred one embryo without the gene in 2020, but that pregnancy ended in a miscarriage, according to the lawsuit.

☆ Ex-producer Harvey Weinstein faces sentencing for Los Angeles rape conviction
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-23 | by ( Steve Gorman | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

LOS ANGELES, Feb 23 (Reuters) - Harvey Weinstein, the onetime Hollywood titan who came to epitomize a culture of pervasive sexual misconduct by powerful men that ignited the #MeToo movement, is to be sentenced on Thursday for the 2013 rape of an actress in Los Angeles. Whatever sentence is pronounced should be served once the former movie producer and Miramax co-founder has completed the 23-year sentence imposed for a sexual misconduct conviction in New York, prosecutors argued in their sentencing memorandum. Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Lisa Lench declared a mistrial on the deadlocked charges. The producer of "Pulp Fiction" and "Shakespeare in Love" was convicted of sexual misconduct in New York in February 2020, and extradited from New York to a Los Angeles prison in July 2021. In New York, Weinstein is appealing his conviction and prison sentence.

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